Model: Kareena
Dress: Antonio from La Chatuise
Bouquet: Flora and Faunas

If you were at a wedding in 2009 and possibly late 2008, chances are the bouquet toss was set to Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)”. This is also, according to some one of the best videos of all time. A fellow photographer posted this version as an alternative: Single Ladies – Pomplamoose.* As a cover, it shifts the medium of song and music video into a videosong. Every sound is shown on screen. Although not always simultaneously, there is generous use of split screen. The description reads, “we love this song. the chord progression in the chorus is genius. hooray for beyonce and her songwriters.”

What?

The other night I was bored (and procrastinating other things) and did some research. The default start for background research: Wikipedia’s article on chord progression and song structure and various linked off of there. Here are two articles about the chord progression and song structure of “Single Ladies”:

• Analysis of “Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)”
• “Single Ladies” by Beyonce: A Compositional Analysis

Try listening to the harmony and bass lines of a popular song. Listen for the changes. Still confused? Watch Rob Paravonian Rant about hating Pachelbel’s Canon. In addition to his comedic value, the rant brings out the common chord progression everywhere. Even in punk rock.

*Francophone readers might note that pomplamoose sounds like pamplemousse, French for grapefruit.

Back to photography, then. One of the best videos of all time is shot in black and white on a huge wraparound white seamless background. Super-awesome Atlanta Photographer Zack Arias wrote a multi-part tutorial on using white seamless.

The transitions in the video between the gray background with dancers’ shadows and white shadowless is done entirely by changing lighting ratios. All in camera. White seamless is particularly versatile in photography for this very reason. Multiple looks, all by changing the way the scene is lit. Very light against white, against black/dark gray, silhouette against white. And in theory, all available by just turning lights up and down.

Here are his posts about the results:
Jessa – Austin Shoot
Untouchable. Aka: Paul Caponigro’s Bride

William explained the concept for the Paul Caponigro homage over beers at Spider House Cafe with fellow Austin photographers Ben Godkin, Sweet Caroline, and Francis Joseph. The concept sounded like it would be cool. Difficult to pull off. “How are you going to get that many white dogs?” someone asked? Later in the week, as the day of the shoot approached, the weather forecast for that Friday was less than promising. Forecast 100% chance of rain. Rain and photography mix better when you’re not shooting borrowed (and very expensive) bridal gowns.

Friday came and we were all pleasantly surprised that the rain broke, leaving it simply overcast and drizzling at shoot time. The grass at Auditorium Shores was wet and not muddy. Things came together. Someone showed up with a very large and beautiful white dog, which now appears in many blurs in the final image.

If you haven’t seen it, go see the final image at William’s blog: Untouchable. Aka: Paul Caponigro’s Bride.

I also met Maria Bernal, who is super cool and awesome. We were talking about the dresses for the model shoots, and what size model would be needed. “So you need someone who is 36-24-26?” I said, with a bit of a staccato rhythm. Totally went over William’s head this time. Maria looked at me funny, and then I added, “Only if she’s 5′3″.” Yay Sir-Mix-a-Lot.

Photos to come, of course.

Herpes Boy started as a web series and got picked up into a feature film. Most of the screenings I covered I was able to see the films. The Shorts 5 screening overlapped with the Herpes Boy Saturday screening. Thanks to Britt Moody at Alamo Ritz, I got in the back of the theater right as the Q&A started.

 

Two of the shorts in the set won awards: Love Bug, Narrative Short Audience Award Winner, Writer/Director: Kat Candler

Adelaide, Narrative Student Short Audience Award Winner, Writer/Director: Liliana Greenfield-Sanders

 

All four soldiers were at the Q&A, along with filmmakers the Renaud brothers.

Thank you for your service.

 

Caprica was one of the screenings at the Austin Film Festival I had heard of prior to signing up to photograph events.

Actor Esai Morales (Joesph Adama) and director Jeffrey Reiner attended the screening and did a Q&A session afterwards.

Esai was funny, in marked contrast to his quite serious character. At one point he channeled Edward James Olmos’s glare:

 

• Caprica
• Warrior Champions
• Little Fish, Strange Pond
• Cummings Farm
• Wild Texas Weather

I’ll be processing photos and uploading/blogging more as I finish getting over a stomach bug or whatever this has been.